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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T





SPONSOR: Roberts DATE TYPED: 02/11/01 HB 665
SHORT TITLE: Cloud Seeding & Water Modification Project SB
ANALYST: Chabot


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
 Recurring

or Non-Rec

 Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02
$ 150.0 Recurring General Fund



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Duplicates SB 513



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



LFC Files

Office of the State Engineer (SEO)



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



This bill appropriates $150.0 from the general fund to SEO for the purpose of supporting a cloud seeding and weather modification in southeast New Mexico.



Significant Issues



According to SEO, southeastern New Mexico has experienced three years of continuous, severe drought which has impacted both agricultural and municipal water users in the region. The drought has also decreased surface runoff and flows in the Pecos River. Other weather modification projects have been in operation in Curry, Quay and Roosevelt counties for the past four years with "impressive results." These results were not quantified in the SEO analysis; however, in testimony before the Interim Water and Natural Resources Committee, SEO representatives stated that in 1999 the rainfall in the target area was 38 percent higher compared to nine percent higher outside the target area. A similar program in the Colorado River Municipal Water District of west Texas yielded a 36 percent increase in rainfall during the seeding months.









PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS



To obtain baseline data on weather modification programs, one output measure is recommended:



Output Estimated percent increase in rainfall resulting from the weather modification project in southeast New Mexico compared to seasonal averages:



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



The appropriation of $150.0 contained in this bill is a non-recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2002 shall revert to the general fund. To receive maximum benefit from the appropriation in this bill, SEO recommends a multi-year appropriation for fiscal years 2002 and 2003.



ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS



This program would be administered by the existing staff of the Interstate Stream Commission.



DUPLICATION



This bill is the same as SB 513.



POSSIBLE QUESTIONS